Published: Tuesday, 26th January, 2010 9:18am

PHONE SCAMMERS HIT IRVINE

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TELEPHONE crooks are calling up people in Irvine and Kilwinning and quoting their bank account details in a bid to trick them out of more vital bank details, warn police.

And officers say they have "no idea" how the fraudsters are getting the account information.

They issued a stark warning to local residents, after reports of phone calls were rogue agents tried to get unsuspecting locals to tell them the security codes from the back of their bank cards by claiming they could help them claim back bank charges.

Constable Alan McPhail, from Irvine's Community Safety Division, said the scamsters told people the could help them reclaim lost bank charges was extremely convincing because the operatives were able to conform people's bank account details before trapping them in a cash scam.

He said:"They quote these at people then ask them for the security card on the back of their card so they can proceed with claiming back bank charges."

But the scamsters then turn on their victims and begin extorting cash from them.

See the Times today for the full story.